Some of you may not have noticed, but I haven't blogged in over a week. We took the kids on their first airplane trip out to Seattle to visit Grandpa Darryl and his wife, Lynn. I've been to Seattle a few times before, but it was a different experience to be there with the kids. Seeing the way they experienced the city really added a new dimenstion to the trip.
One of the most difficult parts of the trip was the change in time zones. 2 hours doesn't sound like much, but it really wears on kids. When we were trying to have dinner at 6:00, the kids were crabby and ready for bed. When we wanted to sleep in, the kids were up at 5:30 AM, begging to go swimming.
Speaking of swimming, we did a ton of it last week. Fortunately, this resulted in Addi now being able to swim with arm bands, Max being able to swim in the deep end, and Kristin getting green hair. High five!
The airplane ride went better than expected. The kids watched movies and played games. Addi spilled her orange juice all over Kristin, but that was the only downside.
Upon arriving in Seattle, we were picked up at the airport, took a bit of time to settle in, then walked to dinner at, where else, PF Chang's! On the way, there's a fountain. See how everyone looks like they're shivering? That's because they walked through it!
The following day we took the kids to the "Scratch Patch", which is a really cool idea. Basically, the entire floor is covered in polished stones, and kids can pick through them to find their favorites to bring home.
We then went to visit the troll. He lives under a bridge. Max scared the crap out of Grandpa with the way he climbed and jumped all over the troll, but we all had a good time.
Addi definitely needed a nap, so we laid her down and took Max over to Pike Place Market. He was displeased with me taking his picture.
The next day we took the Monorail (yes, the freakin' MONORAIL, how cool is that?) out to Seattle Center to go on some rides.
Max drove the bumper cars.
Both kids went on the Viking Ship. (or would it be a Seahawk ship?)
We all went on the Ferris wheel.
And I almost vomited on the carousel.
Max convinced me to go on the log flume with him. That's the Experience Music Project in the background.
w00t!
There's a fountain in the middle of Seattle Center that shoots water in sync with music.
It was actually quite peaceful to listen to the water and music while the kids played in the fountain.
I narrowly avoided getting soaked.
The next day we hit up the Pacific Science center. This was one of the best parts of the trip for me. So much cool stuff to see!
The airplane ride went better than expected. The kids watched movies and played games. Addi spilled her orange juice all over Kristin, but that was the only downside.
Upon arriving in Seattle, we were picked up at the airport, took a bit of time to settle in, then walked to dinner at, where else, PF Chang's! On the way, there's a fountain. See how everyone looks like they're shivering? That's because they walked through it!
The following day we took the kids to the "Scratch Patch", which is a really cool idea. Basically, the entire floor is covered in polished stones, and kids can pick through them to find their favorites to bring home.
We then went to visit the troll. He lives under a bridge. Max scared the crap out of Grandpa with the way he climbed and jumped all over the troll, but we all had a good time.
Addi definitely needed a nap, so we laid her down and took Max over to Pike Place Market. He was displeased with me taking his picture.
The next day we took the Monorail (yes, the freakin' MONORAIL, how cool is that?) out to Seattle Center to go on some rides.
Max drove the bumper cars.
Both kids went on the Viking Ship. (or would it be a Seahawk ship?)
We all went on the Ferris wheel.
And I almost vomited on the carousel.
Max convinced me to go on the log flume with him. That's the Experience Music Project in the background.
w00t!
There's a fountain in the middle of Seattle Center that shoots water in sync with music.
It was actually quite peaceful to listen to the water and music while the kids played in the fountain.
I narrowly avoided getting soaked.
The next day we hit up the Pacific Science center. This was one of the best parts of the trip for me. So much cool stuff to see!
The human hampster wheel.
They wouldn't let me ride the bike because I didn't have shoes with a back on them.
Shooting the water cannons.
Playing giant chess.
They made this on a harmonic something-or-other.
The main attraction at the Science Center was the butterfly room. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by a big'n.
Addi has better balance than I do.
Back at the fountain.
Tired girl. It was like 80 degrees in our condo, and she felt that she needed to wear a sweatshirt with Pupper zipped up inside it.
The "gum wall". Yeah, that's all chewed gum. Glad I don't live there!
I think the best part of the trip for the adults was taking a 70-foot sailbout for a tour of Puget Sound. This was my first time sailing, and it was awesome.
The boat was leaning just a bit to the side.
Max played below deck almost the entire time. I guess we all have our own idea of "fun"!
Back at the condo, swimming. Cheap entertainment.
He's getting big, but I can still launch him.
One of the best parts of the trip was that I was able to walk to get coffee (and hot chocolate) for the whole family every morning.
And we had a great view! I wouldn't want to live downtown, but it sure is fun to visit!
"Our" condo.
They wouldn't let me ride the bike because I didn't have shoes with a back on them.
Shooting the water cannons.
Playing giant chess.
They made this on a harmonic something-or-other.
The main attraction at the Science Center was the butterfly room. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by a big'n.
Addi has better balance than I do.
Back at the fountain.
Tired girl. It was like 80 degrees in our condo, and she felt that she needed to wear a sweatshirt with Pupper zipped up inside it.
The "gum wall". Yeah, that's all chewed gum. Glad I don't live there!
I think the best part of the trip for the adults was taking a 70-foot sailbout for a tour of Puget Sound. This was my first time sailing, and it was awesome.
The boat was leaning just a bit to the side.
Max played below deck almost the entire time. I guess we all have our own idea of "fun"!
Back at the condo, swimming. Cheap entertainment.
He's getting big, but I can still launch him.
One of the best parts of the trip was that I was able to walk to get coffee (and hot chocolate) for the whole family every morning.
And we had a great view! I wouldn't want to live downtown, but it sure is fun to visit!
"Our" condo.
I'd love to write more about the trip, but I should probably get some work done!